Time stops for no one, taking and giving without mercy. For decades, Farmamerica’s iconic 1930s red dairy barn has provided an authentic experience into agricultural history while simultaneously serving as a home for the nonprofit’s livestock. It was in the 1910s when the Ballard family first built the barn to house the 20 dairy cows they owned. Approximately 70 years later, in the 1980s during the emergence of Farmamerica, the Ballards donated the barn to the organization. It was relocated to the grounds soon after and has been a cornerstone of Farmamerica ever since.
Today, the very foundation of this iconic agricultural landmark is in jeopardy as Father Time and Mother Nature have degraded the structure–particularly its siding–to the point where the Big Red Barn is in need of renovations by the Fall of 2027. “We have reached a stage where replacing the siding is a top priority, but we still want to be able to honor the history and architecture the Barn carries,” shared Kari Wadd, Program Coordinator at Farmamerica. The proposed restoration project would replace the barn’s wooden siding with reinforced red steel; however, it comes with a steep 90,000 dollar price tag.
Planning for this renovation has been ongoing since October of 2025 with a GoFundMe requesting donations toward the restoration project. It should be noted that steel siding proved to be the most cost efficient according to Jessica Rollins, Farmamerica’s Executive Director, “We started looking into prices and soon realized a full rebuild with wooden siding would cost exceptionally higher than with steel. Most barns nowadays are steel-sided, so being able to add decades of longevity while staying true to our Barn’s history is a win-win.”
Despite a clear problem and obvious solution, the non-profit faces another crisis: funding. Currently, a GoFundMe has been created by FarmAmerica and as of this report (July 26), close to 8,000 dollars has been raised–nine percent of its total goal.
Which is where the July 25 Band for the Barn event came in, a gathering focused on fundraising for the cause while treating the community to live music, food trucks, and tours of the historic barn itself. While a 40 or so pre-registered for the event, walk-ins supplied heavy foot traffic throughout the three-hour event. Gold Star Band provided entertainment indoors while a variety of food and beverage vendors kept commerce going outside.
As the evening went on, both Rollins and Wadd held historical tours at the Big Red Barn, introducing a number of the animals who reside there: pigs, turkeys, goats, chickens, and a miniature cow named Ferdinand. While the latter shared personal anecdotes about turkey calls, Rollins emphasized the importance this restoration project brings to those who call it home, “There aren’t a lot of barns like these around anymore,” she explained. “Many of the animals here are either our own or rescues, so to them, this is the only home they’ve ever known. It’s been such a focal point here–it’s like the heart of Farmamerica.”
Wadd, while avoiding the nibbling maws of hungry goats, echoed that sentiment, “The red barn has been an anchor of our educational mission at Farmamerica; over 16,000 people have come to see it and we want to keep that going.”
It isn’t quite clear how much was gained following Band for the Barn, but any effort toward preserving a piece of the past is worthwhile. In the meantime, Farmamerica will do everything it can to keep the structure sound and its inhabitants safe. The rest lies with the generosity of the institution’s supporters and those looking to keep the Ballard’s family jewel shining bright.
If You’d Like to Donate toward the Big Red Barn restoration project, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/farmamericas-red-barn or contact the site directly
